Lexus has reported total sales of 12,274 units for the first month of 2012, which is a 4.6% drop compared to last January — here are the model-by-model stats:

MONTH

Year to Date (*DSR)

2012

2011

% CHG*

2011

2010

% CHG*

CT

1,025

0

N/A

1,025

0

N/A

HS

152

286

‐46.9

152

286

‐46.9

IS

1,810

1,992

‐9.1

1,810

1,992

‐9.1

ES

2,410

2,215

8.8

2,410

2,215

8.8

GS

93

323

‐71.2

93

323

‐71.2

LS

573

734

‐21.9

573

734

‐21.9

SC

2

7

‐71.4

2

7

‐71.4

LFA

4

4

0.0

4

4

0.0

Total Cars

6,069

5,561

9.1

6,069

5,561

9.1

RX

5,038

5,881

‐14.3

5,038

5,881

‐14.3

GX

878

1,135

‐22.6

878

1,135

‐22.6

LX

289

283

2.1

289

283

2.1

Total Trucks

6,205

7,299

‐15.0

6,205

7,299

‐15.0

Total Sales

12,274

12,860

‐4.6

12,274

12,860

‐4.6

Can’t imagine this is the way Lexus wanted to start off the new year — here’s what GM Mark Templin had to say during the monthly sales call:

We sold 12,274 vehicles, down 4.6 percent from last January. While SUV sales were down 15 percent due to low inventory, our car sales were up 9 percent.

If you remember, we said we’d launch nine new or updated models plus three F SPORT vehicles this year. Well, three of those new arrivals are at dealerships now [2013 LX, GS & GS F Sport].

With Lexus model production reaching normal levels in October and the RX manufacturing boost in Canada during the fourth quarter, it’s strange to see inventory come up as an issue again — however, when you consider that the 11,508 RX sales in December comes close to eclipsing total Lexus sales this month, it stands to reason that there would be some RX dealership shortages.

On a more positive note, CT sales continue to impress — the model is definitely holding up the overall numbers with its success and proves there’s room in the U.S. market for a luxury hatchback. Of course, there’s also the February launch of the new 2013 GS to look forward to — though there’s likely to be a slow rollout as dealerships build up stock, and I don’t really expect the GS to significantly impact sales numbers until March.

[Source: Lexus USA]

Canada

Lexus Canada has reported a 11.3% sales increase for January, with 810 total Lexus sales.